The year 2018 was likely the most disastrous year in Indonesia this decade. Volcanos erupted spectacularly, the earth shook violently, the ground literally swallowed homes and lives, the ocean lashed angrily at our shores with two mind-numbing tsunamis.

In particular, the tsunamis have exposed fatal weaknesses in certain parts of our government.

Tsunamis have multiple causes, but they can still be identified in time to issue life-saving alerts. The final and most important empirical factor in determining a probable tsunami are tidal gauges, which measure the changes in elevation of the ocean surface.

All other measurable indications can only be considered possible contributing factors. For example, an earthquake in the sea bed might or might not set off a tsunami, depending on other factors. As would a meteorite falling into ...